Research career development K award, CDA, type of appointment, temporary adjustments to the full-time institutional appointment requirement, full time

12.3.5 Type of Appointment

By the time of award, all CDA recipients must have a full-time appointment at the applicant institution. With prior approval Written approval by an authorized HHS official, e.g., a designated IC GMO, evidencing prior consent before a recipient undertakes certain activities or incurs specific costs (see Administrative Requirements-Changes in Project and Budget-Prior Approval Requirements). from NIH, award recipients may hold part-time appointments for limited periods during the course of their awards (see Temporary Adjustments to the Full-Time Institutional Appointment Requirement below). Full-time or part-time is as defined by applicant institutional policy.

Candidates who hold additional appointments with an independent clinical practice plan, the VA or other organizations should contact the scientific/research and/or grants management contact in the relevant IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award. prior to preparing an application to discuss their eligibility. Responsibilities outside of the applicant organization appointment are not restricted; however, these types of additional appointments cannot be used to meet the full-time appointment requirement nor the effort requirement discussed below. If a candidate has a dual appointment, they must also have a full-time appointment at the applicant institution to qualify for a CDA.

12.3.5.1 Temporary Adjustments to the Full-Time Institutional Appointment Requirement

Temporary adjustment of the full-time requirement for awarded CDAs is allowed under certain circumstances. At the time of the award, the candidate must meet the full-time appointment requirement (as well as any minimum effort requirement); however, recipients may request a temporary reduction in their appointment to less than full-time (but not less than three-quarter time) for a period not to exceed 12 continuous months during the CDA award project period. Circumstances requiring such a change in appointment status might include personal or family situations such as parental leave, childcare, elder care, medical conditions, or a disability. Permission to change appointment status will not be approved to accommodate job opportunities, clinical practice, clinical training, or joint appointments.

When requesting approval to change to a part-time appointment status, the recipient must continue to commit at least 75% effort (of the part-time appointment) to research and career development activities. The recipient is encouraged to consider increasing their percent effort to greater than 75% (e.g., 85%) to compensate for the anticipated effect of the part-time appointment on the recipient's career progress.

On behalf of the K recipient, the recipient institution must submit a request and documentation to the NIH awarding IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award. supporting the need for a reduced faculty appointment and assuring the institution's continuing commitment to the scientific and research career development of the recipient. The request should justify reducing the appointment to less than full-time status and must describe the anticipated impact of the requested change on their career progress during the remainder of the award period. In addition, the recipient must submit assurance of their intention to return to a full-time faculty appointment as soon as possible. The mentor must provide a revised mentoring plan and specifically describe updated milestones for the recipient's progression to independence. Lastly, a revised statement of institutional commitment to the recipient must ensure continued "protected time" and describe additional support that will assist the recipient to continue to make progress toward their goals during the requested period of the reduced appointment. During the period of reduced appointment, the salary and other costs supported by the award will be reduced accordingly. Requests must be submitted by the recipient institution to the awarding Institute or Center The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award. (IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award.) where they will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For transition CDAs (K22 and K99/R00), because of the relatively short duration of the mentored phase of the award, a request for reduction in the appointment must address the impact of this action on the recipient's ability to make sufficient progress to meet the goals of the program. For example, a K99 recipient must describe how the request will affect the recipient's ability to transition to the R00 phase of the award.

This policy also allows recipients to temporarily reduce the level of effort devoted to the CDA award; that policy is described below in Level of Effort. While these 2 policies are similar in overall goals, an recipient may not simultaneously request a reduction in appointment status from full-time to part-time AND a reduction in percent effort to less than 75%.